Support is available for anyone being stalked – that’s the message being promoted during National Stalking Awareness Week.
Though a UK initiative, it is being supported by the Isle of Man police and the island’s Victim Support charity, and its aim is to educate the public about what constitutes stalking and what action individuals can take to address it.
‘It is a campaign in the UK which is aimed at raising awareness, so that’s why we have picked it up here,’ said Paula Gelling of Victim Support, Isle of Man.
‘We don’t get a lot of reports of stalking here but it is clear to us that people are aware of it and they also have a fear of it. In the Isle of Man it can certainly happen and it may be at a low level or it may be part of a bigger harrassment problem.’
She said stalking covered a wide range of behaviour which could often also include causing distress, harm or upset.
‘What we really want people to do is report it and to talk to someone – either Victim Support or the police – or, if it’s an ex-partner, any of the domestic abuse organisations can assist, including ourselves,’ she said.
Sometimes, she added, statistics can hide the true extent of stalking because it may start out as a case of domestic violence or harrassment and stalking could then follow on from that.
‘Of course, if anyone feels in immediate danger or at risk, the first thing they should do is call 999,’ she said.
To coincide with this year’s National Stalking Awareness Week an information film has been released on Youtube by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust – a charity launched in memory of London estate agent Suzy Lamplugh who was reported missing in July 1986 and declared dead, presumed murdered, in 1994 – which aims to promote personal safety and educate people about basic safety precautions.
The video illustrates a range of behaviour including repeated emails, telephone calls, letters and abuse on social media which can constitute stalking. It tells the viewer: ‘It’s not flattering or funny, it’s a serious crime. So if you are being followed, are afraid to open the door, then this is stalking.’
Women constitute 80 per cent of stalking victims and most people are stalked by someone they know, such as an ex-partner, an acquaintance, colleague, ex-colleague or family member. Stalking is something which will affect one sixth of women and one in 12 men at some point during their lives. The film can be viewed by visiting www.stalkinghelpline.org then following the link.
The website offers a large amount of advice about safety and deterring unwanted attention. Guidance is given about security in the home, contacts by telephone and also security when on the internet.
Victim Support Isle of Man is a charitable organisation which can offer confidential support and advice free of charge.
It can be contacted on 679950 and through its website, victimsupport.im